Which reagent would distinguish ethanoic acid from phenol?
Correct answer: C. Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution
- A. Sodium hydroxide solution
- B. Sodium metal
- C. Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution
- D. Litmus paper alone
Explanation
Ethanoic acid gives brisk effervescence of carbon dioxide with hydrogen carbonate while phenol, being too weak an acid, gives no reaction at all. Sodium hydroxide is no use, since both compounds are neutralised by it, and both also react with sodium metal because both contain a hydroxyl hydrogen. This is the standard sequence for telling apart an alcohol, a phenol and a carboxylic acid.
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About Reactivity of Carboxylic Acids
Carboxylic acids show acidic behaviour because their carboxylate ions are resonance-stabilised, and electron-withdrawing groups can change their strength. Reactions include neutralisation, esterification, formation of acid chlorides and amides, reduction, decarboxylation and substitution at the acyl carbon, which differs from the reactions of phenols.
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